Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie (pictured with Member for Dubbo Troy Grant)  says rural crime such as the  theft of livestock, produce and equipment; illegal shooting, trespassing and other rural crimes can have a devastating effect on farmers, the community and the industry as a whole. 

However, he added that many rural crimes go unreported because victims often believe there’s not proof, it’s not serious enough to warrant police investigation, or they think nothing can be done. 

‘We want to send a very clear message of support to NSW farmers and the wider community that that’s simply not the case and we’re very keen to hear from any victim of rural crime,’ Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.

Farmers who are the victims of theft or vandalism lose not only the money they have invested in livestock or equipment, and the replacement cost, but in the case of livestock, the future income they would have earned. 

Livestock thefts often escalate when sheep and cattle prices are high, hitting farmers just when they are starting to get back on their feet. 

Earlier this year,  the state CWA conference in Cowra was told that rural crime is costing farm families millions of dollars a year. 

Between January 2010 and December 2014, close to 85,000 sheep were reported stolen and more than 6500 head of cattle.  At conservative market prices, this cost rural industries nearly $13 million. 

In the same period nearly 517,600 litres of diesel was stolen, equating to $801,000. 

While reporting a rural crime may not always result in a conviction, it will help police to build up a picture of patterns in crime, and to allocate resources where they are most needed. 

Even the smallest bit of information may be the missing piece that completes a picture and leads to an arrest and conviction. 

Farmers are also being asked  to install cameras, report crimes as soon as they discover them and report or capture any evidence available to them.

Police don’t have the resources to patrol every country road, but by being vigilant, taking steps to protect property and reporting every incident, residents can work with police to reduce crime.